Best Year Excursion
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Best Year Excursion
Guys I am in the market for a diesel Excursion 4x4 preferably under 150,000 miles. I will be pulling my boat that is around 6000 pounds. I have owned a 1994 7.3 idi dually, 1997 F250 ext cab 7.3 Powerstroke, and a 1999 F350 7.3 Powerstroke dually. I am seriously considering the Excursion. What years are you guys a big fan of? Any cons? I keep leaning toward the 2005's with the 6.0. Were most of the bugs worked out of the 6.0 by 2005?
Thanks
Thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
I don't consider the engineering blunder of not using enough head bolts a "bug"
It cost upwards of 5-7k to have the "bugs" worked out of a 6.0. Ford tried 4 times to work the bugs out of mine before they bought the truck back from me. Lmao
As far as the BEST year excursion goes that is simple. Which ever year you own is the best.
Engines aside the difference between years is mainly trim and doodads. Pick the motor you want and then go find the one that suits you.
It cost upwards of 5-7k to have the "bugs" worked out of a 6.0. Ford tried 4 times to work the bugs out of mine before they bought the truck back from me. Lmao
As far as the BEST year excursion goes that is simple. Which ever year you own is the best.
Engines aside the difference between years is mainly trim and doodads. Pick the motor you want and then go find the one that suits you.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: Yakima, Wash.
I don't consider the engineering blunder of not using enough head bolts a "bug"
It cost upwards of 5-7k to have the "bugs" worked out of a 6.0. Ford tried 4 times to work the bugs out of mine before they bought the truck back from me. Lmao
As far as the BEST year excursion goes that is simple. Which ever year you own is the best.
Engines aside the difference between years is mainly trim and doodads. Pick the motor you want and then go find the one that suits you.
It cost upwards of 5-7k to have the "bugs" worked out of a 6.0. Ford tried 4 times to work the bugs out of mine before they bought the truck back from me. Lmao
As far as the BEST year excursion goes that is simple. Which ever year you own is the best.
Engines aside the difference between years is mainly trim and doodads. Pick the motor you want and then go find the one that suits you.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 0
From: Dustbowl, NV
Last year or 2 of the 7.3 is the best. I looked for a year and a half to find a one owner, 83k mi, no mod beauty.
Like Pirate says, 5-7k IN PARTS, plus 3-4k in labor, and the 6.0 is as good as it's going to get. A few run forever without the mods; spin the wheel.
Like most things, it comes down to the previous owners' maintenance habits...
Like Pirate says, 5-7k IN PARTS, plus 3-4k in labor, and the 6.0 is as good as it's going to get. A few run forever without the mods; spin the wheel.
Like most things, it comes down to the previous owners' maintenance habits...
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 338
Likes: 6
This is why I went with the V-10! I specifically wanted a 05 Ex diesel! But when I started researching the 6.0 diesel and heard about it's issues I decided to stay away from it! So I went with the V-10 instead.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 3
From: NYC
Just going by what I've read on the interwebz I hear last years(02-03MY) of the 7.3 are best. 03MY 6.0's have some issues which were improved upon in the 04-05MY. Early gas trucks(2000-2002MY) have less spark plug threads which sometimes pop spark plugs out, so the later/latest gas trucks are best and have more creature comforts to boot.
HOWEVER, I agree with pirate4x4_camo, the BEST truck is the one you own.
HOWEVER, I agree with pirate4x4_camo, the BEST truck is the one you own.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 852
Likes: 12
From: Billings, MT
I have a late 02 PSD and love it. It seems to me that the only year that may have had an issue was the 2001 auto trans. There was a problem with some kind of diode? Maybe someone can chime in on it?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Loveland,CO
2003 7.3 4x4 here!! Best year ever...LOL. But I do like a well built 6.0 also. I think you have a better chance of finding a 6.0 with under 150K than a 7.3. Either way you are have a possibility of high expenses with either diesel...7.3 is transmission, 6.0 is bullet proofing.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
There really is only a few important differences across the 6 years of Excursions in terms of non-engine related things.
Early years don't have power-adjustable pedals.
If you are tall/have long legs the pedals can't be moved farther away.
This was a big deal for me.
My arms are happy with where the steering wheel is - at the same time my legs are happy with how far away the pedals are.
Early years have cassette vs. CD in the front radio.
Early years have VCR vs. DVD player for the 2nd row.
2005 Excursions have the updated front grille - better headlights!
Plus distinguishes them from the other 80% of Excursions.
Early years don't have power-adjustable pedals.
If you are tall/have long legs the pedals can't be moved farther away.
This was a big deal for me.
My arms are happy with where the steering wheel is - at the same time my legs are happy with how far away the pedals are.
Early years have cassette vs. CD in the front radio.
Early years have VCR vs. DVD player for the 2nd row.
2005 Excursions have the updated front grille - better headlights!
Plus distinguishes them from the other 80% of Excursions.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
It seems I have read that the 2000 has some 1 year only wiring that may be an issue in the future. All things aside, the Nicest, Newest, Cheapest one you can buy, in that order, is the best year to have IMHO.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 830
Likes: 39
From: Whittier
You didn't say if you can do your own engine work. That would save you a lot of money
The 03 and early 04 6.0 has a weak high pressure oil pump which can be upgraded but costs lot. It is a bit harder to work on too. The 05 6.0 that would be on the market now might already have its bullet proofing done. If not, it isn't difficult to do. There are several videos on youtube showing the process.
The 03 and early 04 6.0 has a weak high pressure oil pump which can be upgraded but costs lot. It is a bit harder to work on too. The 05 6.0 that would be on the market now might already have its bullet proofing done. If not, it isn't difficult to do. There are several videos on youtube showing the process.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 338
Likes: 6
There really is only a few important differences across the 6 years of Excursions in terms of non-engine related things.
Early years don't have power-adjustable pedals.
If you are tall/have long legs the pedals can't be moved farther away.
This was a big deal for me.
My arms are happy with where the steering wheel is - at the same time my legs are happy with how far away the pedals are.
Early years have cassette vs. CD in the front radio.
Early years have VCR vs. DVD player for the 2nd row.
2005 Excursions have the updated front grille - better headlights!
Plus distinguishes them from the other 80% of Excursions.
Early years don't have power-adjustable pedals.
If you are tall/have long legs the pedals can't be moved farther away.
This was a big deal for me.
My arms are happy with where the steering wheel is - at the same time my legs are happy with how far away the pedals are.
Early years have cassette vs. CD in the front radio.
Early years have VCR vs. DVD player for the 2nd row.
2005 Excursions have the updated front grille - better headlights!
Plus distinguishes them from the other 80% of Excursions.
This right here is specifically why I wanted an 05 V-10!
Great thread guys.
